Mary Ann (Toms) Symonds (1839 - 1894)

Born 28 Apr 1839 in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England.

Ancestors

Wife of John William Symonds — married 1866 in New Zealand

Descendants

Died 23 Oct 1894 at age 55 in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England.

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Biography

Mary Ann was born in 1839. Her parents and three brothers and sister in law migrated to New Zealand in 1855, on New Era. She was said to be a Governess at Westoe Estate in the Rangitikei, although Sir William Fox was childless. She married the gardener on the Fox Estate. ^[1] Four of her children die before they turn one year old. Her husband died before she returned to England, where she died. In May 1894 Mary Ann returns to London, she travels on the 'Aorangi' with her daughter Sophia Maud Symonds. ^[2]

Burial PLOT : Plot 10, Block R MEMORIAL ID : 196032839 Inscription Sacred to the memory of Mary Toms (mother of this profile, Mary Ann Symonds) who died 5th March 1878 aged 65 years, also John Toms husband of the above who died 6th February 1893 aged 88 years, also John Symonds who departed this life 10th May 1888 aged 47 years, and Maryanne wife of above who died while on a visit to England 23rd October 1894. Gravesite Details The headstone is currently lying face-down on the ground and needs to be lifted to see the inscription. When contacting the council about the grave, we were informed that this part of the cemetery is owned by St Andrews Presbyterian Church. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/196032839/mary-toms

Sources

1. ↑ NZBDM Marriage 1866/6835
2. ↑ "New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Passenger Lists, 1839-1973", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V19S-TTZ : Wed Nov 01 14:41:22 UTC 2023), Entry for Mary Ann Symonds, 17 May 1894.

• New Zealand Birth Deaths and Marriages certificate for daughter Amelia Symonds

• https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~ourstuff/genealogy/NewEra.htm